In 1925, Johnny Horton was born in Los Angeles, California. In a career ended much too soon by an auto accident, Horton was probably the most talented country singer who hasn't been inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame, probably due to the fact that he snubbed the Grand Ole Opry to remain with the Louisiana Hayride. Of his fourteen charted hits, he had three Number Ones, seven more Top Tens, two that went to eleventh, one that went to nineteenth, and one that went to twenty sixth on the charts. One of those elevens and the twenty six were both remakes of popular Top Tens that were released after his death. His band mates included some of country music's best, including Tillman Franks and Merle Kilgore, and he was very much a part of the country music scene, being friends with Johnny Cash, Faron Young, and Webb Pierce. If you know the story about "The drummer is a rummer, and he can't keep a beat", then you know that he was fascinated by the afterlife, and I was assured by Merle Kilgore that this story is true. On a parting note, Johnny Horton married Hank Williams' second wife shortly before his death.
In 1929, Fuzzy Owen, one of the Bakersfield Sound pioneers, was born in Conway, Arkansas. He was a singer, songwriter, producer, and musician, but is best remembered for the many years he managed Merle Haggard.
In 1933, Willie Nelson also celebrates his birthday on this day, though there are accounts that say he was born on the twenty ninth. It really doesn't matter. The Red Headed Stranger is ALL WORLD to us who love traditional and classic country music.
In 1940, Darrell McCall, outlaw country singer and songwriter, was born in New Jasper, Ohio. Though he has been associated with Willie Nelson, Johnny Bush, and Hank Williams, Jr., he is known mostly for his honky-tonk style that pervades the Texas Roadhouses and Honky-tonks. He was a boyhood friend of Johnny Paycheck, and worked in the bands of Faron Young, Ray Price, and the young Williams. His biggest success is as a songwriter, along with Lamar Morris, on "Eleven Roses", one of the best, if not THE best single of Hank Jr.'s career.
In 1977, Mickey Gilley was at Number One with "She's Pulling Me Back Again".
In 1983, Reba McEntire was atop the charts with "You're The First Time I've Thought About Leaving".
In 1988, Rodney Crowell and Roseanne Cash were at Number One with their duet of "It's Such A Small World".
In 1994, Faith Hill scored a Number One with "Piece of My Heart".
